Manhunt for sex ring 'mastermind' who skipped court
A warrant of arrest has been issued out for Gerhard Ackerman, who is accused of running a child sex ring.
Ackerman failed to appear in court for his trial on Thursday, citing ill-health.
State Advocate Valencia Dube asked the High Court in Johannesburg to cancel Ackerman's bail after he failed to provide the state with a doctors note on Friday.
Officers rushed to his home after realising that he became unreachable.
"Upon investigation, it was found that Ackerman has moved out of his house and sold all his movable assets," says the NPA's regional spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.
He has since disappeared - breaking his bail conditions including that he may not leave Gauteng.
"Ackerman faces 740 charges ranging from rape, attempted murder, distribution of child porn, human trafficking of minor children for sexual exploitation.
"These young boys were allegedly sexually groomed, raped and exposed to pornographic material," Mjonondwane says.
"The State will work tirelessly to apprehend Ackerman and welcomes any assistance that the public may provide."
